Do you love the sea, but you don’t have the soul of a great sailor? Don’t worry! In New Caledonia, you can take a taxi-boat like a bus! The islets are a short trip away for an afternoon or for a whole weekend. Just choose where you want to wear your pareo!

Walks

While the size of New Caledonian lagoon invites you to explore and appreciate the mysteries and natural splendor of the sea, the New Caledonian archipelago also calls for you to discover its land! Put on your walking shoes and a comfortable outfit and get ready to explore a region of the world that is still partly unexplored.

Nouméa, the capital city of New Caledonia is on the ocean. Several bays extend along the city, providing magnificent beaches and points of view. Besides its natural features, Nouméa also has very attractive cultural offerings for tourists who choose to visit there.

From Ouvéa to the Isle of Pines, passing through Lifou, Tiga and Maré, the five islands bordering the Mainland, Grande Terre to the East are yet more gems to discover. From the blue hole of Hanawa at Ouvéa to the Warrior’s Leap at Wakone on Maré, via the Jokin Cliffs at Lifou or the Oro Bay on the Isle of Pines, let yourself be amazed!

The West Coast of the mainland (Grande Terre) shows off a great variety of scenery from its northern tip down to the area surrounding Nouméa. Characterised by both large spaces favouring cattle farming and a lagoon of stunning beauty, the West Coast is also host to a rich cultural heritage.

The central mountain range of the Mainland (Grande Terre) is a natural boundary, overlooking the very different faces of the East and West Coasts. Exposed to strong winds and therefore more humid, the eastern coast offers scenery with sumptuous flora. With a population of largely Melanesian origin, the East Coast has also retained a particularly charming flavour of authenticity.

The Great South, comprising the Mont-Dore and Yaté municipalities, is the most symbolic region for New Caledonia’s three main colours: blue, green and red. From the rainforest to the mining lands there are a thousand shades of green, while the ocean offers a dazzling palette of blues. But if one colour dominates the Great South, it is the specific red of its ground.

22 useful travel tips

Tips to get the best out of your trip to New Caledonia.

1. Prepare for your trip ! Visit www.newcaledonia.travel before you travel and then the Tourism Office once you arrive in Noumea (Tel : +681 05 75 80 – free call) for personalised advice on what to see and do.

2. Don’t forget to organise your money. Purchase Pacific Francs before you depart home, or when you arrive in Noumea at the airport or a bank.

3. Enjoy Nouméa’s shopping ! Start in the Town Centre, then venture out to the Port Plaisance Mall, Anse Vata Bay and Lemon Bay.

9. Don’t forget to protect yourself in the sun. Wearing a hat and sunscreen when outdoors is advised.

10. Take a road trip to discover the diversity of New Caledonia’s main island, its peoples and landscapes. But don’t forget, New Caledonians drive on the right-hand side of the road !

11. For a true New-Caledonian experience, try a homestay in a Kanak tribe or in a bushman’s ranch to meet the locals and discover local customs.

12. Don’t forget those around you ; do not stray from market paths and don’t jump queues.

13. If visiting tribal areas, first request permission to enter the land by offering a token gift to the tribe’s Chief (Kanak custom).

14. Please consider others and dress respectfully.

15. Use mosquito spray to protect yourself against any mosquito-borne diseases.

16. Respect New Caledonia’s natural environment. Do not damage or collect protected species such as coral, shells, plants and more.

17. Help us keep New Caledonia clean ; please do not litter.

18. Experience the best of the island’s wildlife with a guide, but please do not disturb it.

19. Enjoy Nouméa, but don’t forget about the beautiful Isle of Pines and the Loyalty Islands ; they’re perfect places to stopover in the middle of your stay. Be sure to take cash with you for any expenses outside the hotels.